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GO OUTSIDE AND EXPLORE!

Exploring nature is one of the best ways to spend time with your children. Not only is a great way to create family memories; spending time outdoors has benefits for learning and brain development. That’s why Alabama Public Television encourages parents and care givers to TAKE A CHILD OUTDOORS!

Alabama’s forests and state parks, beaches and waterways offer almost endless opportunities for low-cost and no-cost adventures. Check out our links for WHERE TO GO and WHAT TO DO! You can also explore some of Alabama’s parks and trails ahead of time with these VIDEOS.

SHARE YOUR PICTURES!

While exploring the outdoors, take some photos and share them with us. Photography is one of many ways to get children interested in observing nature and exploring their world.

WHY OUTDOORS?

American children today are spending less time outdoors than any preceding generation. Recent research suggests this sedentary lifestyle is having a negative impact on their physical and mental well-being. Increasing rates of childhood obesity, the early onset of diabetes, attention deficit disorders and depression have all been linked to the lack of time children spend outdoors and active.

Richard Louv’s 2005 book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder,” has helped launch efforts around the nation to reconnect children to the natural world. The plain fact is, nature is good for us. When children have frequent and varied opportunities to play outdoors – especially with natural vegetation – evidence shows they are happier, healthier and smarter. They become better problem-solvers, more optimistic and more physically fit. LEARN MORE

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